Roberto Alomar to host Home Run Challenge at Nat Bailey Stadium in support of Jays Care Foundation

TORONTO, July 4, 2014 /CNW/ - On July 6, 2014, Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar will be hosting the VancouverRoberto Alomar & Friends Charity Home Run Challenge in support of JAYS CARE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of the TORONTO BLUE JAYS baseball club. Participating teams and individuals will fundraise before the event, with the goal of reaching $50,000 to support Jays Care Foundation's programs and initiatives throughout Canada.

Funds raised from the Vancouver Home Run Challenge will assist in refurbishing the "Teen Room" at the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast. Fraserview provides a range of programs for teens in grades 8 through 12, including sports and recreation, movie nights, homework help and tutoring, volunteer opportunities and leadership development.

"I am very excited to help Jays Care Foundation grow this program in Canada," says Blue Jays Alumni and Hall-of-Famer Roberto Alomar, "I love the work that Jays Care does, and I'm happy to get out on the field and help people hit some home runs for a good cause."

Participants will receive their own uniform, including a Blue Jays jacket, equipment, and participate in alumni led hitting drills to prepare for their turn at bat! Toronto Blue Jays special alumni instructors including ROBERTO ALOMAR, JESSE BARFIELD, LLOYD MOSEBY and DEVON WHITE* will attend to provide pointers and cheer participants on. Each participant will have 10 at bats to clear the fences compete for the championship title.

"The Roberto Alomar & Friends Charity Home Run Challenge program has been overwhelmingly successful and we are thrilled to be partnering with Robbie Alomar – a true Blue Jays champion on and off the baseball diamond," says Danielle Bedasse, Executive Director of Jays Care Foundation. "We are thrilled to return to Vancouver for a third season and are excited to continue our efforts to leave Blue Jays legacy projects on the west coast."

2014 Roberto Alomar & Friends Charity Home Run Challenges are made possible through the generous donations of equipment courtesy of Rawlings and prizes courtesy of WestJet.

About Jays Care FoundationAs the charitable arm of Canada's only MLB team, Jays Care has made a Major League commitment to invest in Canadian children and communities from coast to coast. Since 1992, Jays Care Foundation has created opportunities for children and youth through programs that focus on helping kids get active, engage in the sport of baseball, excel academically and lead healthy lives. Jays Care is committed to breaking down barriers to access sport and education and building safe, dedicated spaces for recreational and educational youth programming in communities across Canada.